As an individual ages, why does prolonged oxidative stress contribute to a decline in collagen production within tendons, reducing their tensile strength?

💡 Explanation

Oxidative stress induces DNA damage and telomere shortening in fibroblasts, pushing them into senescence; because senescent fibroblasts have impaired function, they produce less collagen, therefore tendons weaken. This outcome occurs rather than an imbalance of bone remodeling cells, or changes to elastin.

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